Guaranteed Property and Mold Inspections, Inc.

Environmental Issues / Testing

Beyond the standard home or mold inspection, we offer additional environmental inspection and testing services, we have specialized expertise, certification, insurance and training, as well as local, state, federal and professional certifications.

Environmental Testing

Mold

Mold: A free mold inspection is included with a home inspection. If probable moisture and mold conditions are observed, your inspector may recommend that a collection of samples be submitted to a certified laboratory for further analysis. If mold concern conditions are not observable, a mold screen test can also be collected for lab analysis. The World Health Organization has reported that microbial pollution is a key element of indoor air pollution. The report concludes that the most important effects are: increased prevalence of respiratory symptoms, allergies and asthma as well as perturbation of the immunological system.

Radon Testing (Offered only in our northern California office region): This odorless gas is the number one cause of mortality in residential homes. The EPA and U.S. Surgeon General recommend that all homes be tested. Radon comes from the natural (radioactive) breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water and gets into the air you breathe. Radon can be found all over the U.S. Radon is estimated to cause 22,000 thousand of deaths each year. The Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. Only smoking causes more lung cancer deaths.
Steve Zivolich, is one of the few certified Radon Measurement Providers 105129RT, by the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA), and registered with the California Department of Health.

Asbestos: The National Cancer Institute reports that exposure to asbestos may increase the risk of several serious diseases: • Asbestosis—a chronic lung ailment that can produce shortness of breath, coughing, and permanent lung damage; • Lung cancer; • Mesothelioma—a relatively rare cancer of the thin membranes that line the chest and abdomen; and • Other cancers, such as those of the larynx, oropharynx, gastrointestinal tract, and kidney. Asbestos containing building materials were most prevalent in homes built before 1983. WE DO NOT OFFER TESTING AT THIS TIME, PLEASE CONTACT A STATE LICENSED ASBESTOS CONSULTANT.

Water Supply

Water Quality: Water quality is a term used to describe the chemical, physical, and biological characteristics of water, usually in respect to its suitability for a particular purpose such as drinking or bathing. A water quality screen test can be conducted for: bacteria, lead, pesticides, nitrates, nitrites, chlorine, hardness and ph.

Formaldehyde is a colorless, flammable, strong-smelling chemical that is used in building materials and to produce many household products. When formaldehyde is present in the air at levels exceeding 0.1 ppm, some individuals may experience adverse effects such as watery eyes; burning sensations in the eyes, nose, and throat; coughing; wheezing; nausea; and skin irritation. In 1987, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classified formaldehyde as a probable human carcinogen under conditions of unusually high or prolonged exposure. A 24 hour formaldehyde gas test can determine current indoor exposure levels.

Lead Paint: In 1991, the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services called lead the “number one environmental threat to the health of children in the United States.” Lead levels in U.S. children have been greatly reduced since lead has been removed from gasoline. However, there are still many ways in which humans are exposed to lead including deteriorating paint, and dust. Lead at high levels cause convulsions, coma, and even death. Lower levels of lead can cause adverse health effects on the central nervous system, kidney, and blood cells. Blood lead levels as low as 10 micrograms per deciliter can impair mental and physical development. Lead paint was banned from residential use in 1978. Effective 10/1/10 the EPA requires special lead dust protection procedures by contractors, while renovating homes built before 1978. WE DO NOT TEST FOR LEAD AT THIS TIME, PLEASE CONTACT A STATE LICENSED LEAD PAINT PROFESSIONAL.

Please inform your inspector of any environmental exposure or testing questions.
He will provide further consultation and inform you of lab testing costs.

“5. ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS: Buyer and Seller are advised that the presence of certain kinds of organisms, toxins and contaminants, including, but not limited to, mold (airborne, toxic or otherwise), fungi, mildew, lead-based paint and other lead contamination, asbestos, formaldehyde, radon, methane, other gases, fuel oil or chemical storage tanks, contaminated soil or water, hazardous waste, waste disposal sites, electromagnetic fields, nuclear sources, urea formaldehyde, or other materials may adversely affect the Property and the health of individuals who live on or work at the property as well as pets…